Its RPG roots mean there will always be some level of derivation. This isn’t a strong mark against Vox Machina. Of minor consequence is there’s not enough originality in Tal’Dorei itself, with many of its corners indistinguishable from any other sandbox universe. Yet, like Avatar, it effortlessly turns complicated lore into broadly accessible ideas. (Unlike those other shows, there are buckets more bloodshed, profanity, and nudity that might raise eyebrows to anyone expecting a more straightforward fantasy epic.) Like Voltron, Vox Machina descends from a complicated lineage that connects both a popular livestream and Dungeons & Dragons, a nearly 50-year-old tabletop game. Much of Vox Machina is evocative of Avatar: The Last Airbender and Netflix’s Voltron, both in spirit, execution, and even its “western anime” visual design that is often gorgeous to look at. The Legend of Vox Machina adapts one of the first adventures of Critical Role, the popular Dungeons & Dragons livestream show that started in 2015. But when they later meet a noble family of vampires, their real fight begins. In a “let’s get this out of the way” sort of deal, the group’s first task is to slay a dragon. For Vox Machina, this rare experience enables dynamite performances that the craft of voice acting rarely affords. For years, these same actors created and played as these characters for live viewers on Twitch. Voiced by Critical Role’s Laura Bailey, Ashley Johnson, Liam O’Brien, Taliesin Jaffe, Sam Riegel, Travis Willingham, and Marisha Ray, seven rag-tag adventurers embark on a quest to survive in the realm of Tal’Dorei. The new series, streaming January 28 on Amazon Prime Video, is a familiar story wrapped in unfamiliar packaging.
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The Legend of Vox Machina is based on the first serial adventure of Critical Role - both the group of professional voiceover artists who began playing Dungeons & Dragons for the burgeoning livestream internet in 2015, as well as the live show they produce on Thursdays. But its unique mischief christens Vox Machina to be more bold and riotous than anything else streaming today. Nor does it disserve its meaningful themes of found families, revenge, and the self-serving exploitation wrought by the elite upper class.
Such humor rarely negates the exciting dark fantasy action that lies ahead. Its first bits of dialogue are a panicked, uncensored “What the f*ck?” and minutes later, a gnome with chest hair goes down on a naked elf. Thankfully, through fine execution overall, The Legend of Vox Machina never feels like it’s rolling with weighted dice.Įxceeding past its novelty as an adaptation of a Dungeons & Dragons livestream show, The Legend of Vox Machina for Prime Video spices up the booming fantasy genre with stunning artistry and real heart and humor. But a poor show can only lead anyone to think playing D&D themselves is a more productive option.
That’s exactly how it was conceived, it turns out. Stretches of The Legend of Vox Machina almost feel like it’s watching someone play Dungeons & Dragons.
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